The late Andrew Connolly served multiple overseas tours with the Iowa National Guard, including a combat tour in Iraq. Andrew was diagnosed with spinal cancer after his Iraq tour. As the disease progressed Andrew lost the use of his legs and lost dexterity in his hands. His family utilized a Veterans Administration housing grant to build a new home that helped Andrew maintain his independence until he passed away.

The Andrew Connolly Veterans' Housing Act, a bill Rep. Braley introduced in May 2011, expands grant programs for permanently disabled veterans to remodel their homes and make them more disability-accessible.